Economical Commuter: What Should They Build?: MD Readers Respond, Part 2

In Part 2 of a multi-part series, we continue to explore just exactly what our readers are looking for in an economical commuter bike. As always, the responses are posted just as we receive them, and have not been edited. Part 1 can be found here.

• hi there. this is in response to your question "what would you commute on." firstly, i would have to premise my thoughts with the following
  
  i am an american living in southen central europe, where
  1. lane splitting is very much part of the status quo, producing a natural leaning towards bikes that are small enough to get between our four-wheeled cousins when the going gets tight
  2. gas prices are even more astronomical than in the united states, making smaller bikes (think Rome, Paris) more attractive
  3. the north american (marketing) preoccupation with "bigger/faster is better" has not found its way into the mind of the European city motorcycler (rather the opposite), nor has the idea that the daily commute is somehow similar to armed conflict
  4. the concept of parking differs from that which rules in the states. Here (given national variations in the theme) an open space on the sidewalk will suffice, as will the arches and piazzas of national monuments and other buildings, and
  5. the occasional jaunt to the local alps/lago di garda/etc can't be discounted.
     
     
  so with a quick-turning, gas-sipping, landstrassen-capable, light-ish bike in mind, here would be my preferences:
  1. a 600-650cc with EFI - kawasaki 650r, yamaha fazer 600-s2, yamaha mt-03, suzuki drz400sm (EFI?)
  2. kawasaki 250r
  3. vespa 250gt
  4. public transport so as to avoid burning fossil fuels altogether
  
  
• I have a short (10 minute) commute to work daily on urban roads/streets. I ride a Honda 599. I really don't need a bike that will do 140mph. I would be perfectly happy with an electric if it had similar riding characteristics to my current bike. At the present time the right bike, the initial costs, and questions about battery longivity are major concerns.
  
  
• I commute on both an SV650 & a Concours 14. Both are great bikes. A Ninja 650R has nice ergos & decent wind protection. If it had ABS and the C14’s easily removable bags, it would be a great sport-tourer or commuter, but would go well past your $6k target. The return of the 450-500cc V- or parallel twin in a “standard/naked” style with the same options would also be welcome. Most bikes could be geared a bit taller, but there is so much focus on quarter-mile & roll-on times to the extent that that is unlikely to change until automatics become accepted. I enjoy the involvement of shifting, but believe automatics will be accepted fairly quickly once they start matching either the economy or performace of the manual transmissioned bikes.
  
  
• I recommend something like a KTM690SM.
  Great on gas, you can ride down medians in traffic jams, up over the curbs in a flash and off the clogged roads. Perfect commuting bike in the city. The single has enough hp for fun, sticks like glue in the corners and great gas mileage with the single cylinder.
  Could be why there's one in my garage with a Warrior for weekend cruises with the wife. :)
  
  
• Although I've never owned or riden one, I'd have to say that the Honda Pacific Coast 800 (PC800) looks like the ideal commuter bike. I commute in Northern Virginia on my Yamaha FJR1300 or my Ducati S2R1000. I love the FJR for the weather protection and convenience of the side bags, and the Duc for the fact that it's a Duc. A co-worker rides his PC800 exclusively, and I admire its combination of fairing, storage, and simplicity. Also, it's like a scooter/motorcycle mashup: All the convenience of a scooter, yet it's still a "real motorcycle" for seating, handling, etc. I wouldn't advocate bringing it back unchanged; but with some updated styling, components, a new name, and a different marketing angle, now might be the time to offer something like the PC800 again.
  
  
• I would like to see more vehicles like the can am spyder that provide luggage space a way to sit in traffic comfortably and still fun and economical to operate.
  
  
• While I don't like the bike much … runs wide on corner exit and has quite possibly the worst seat ever on a modern motorcycle … the Suzuki 650 V-Strom gets ridiculously good mileage and has a big gas tank so you don't have to fill it up every other day. My '02 Kawi ZR7S gets 50mpg on every tank. I see the need for some to have an automatic motorcycle. I don't think the full bodied maxi-scooter is the way to go though. The first time someone switching from 4 wheels to 2 dumps one of those and sees the repair bill for the acres of plastic will send them back to the car. Would I buy one? Never, but I'm not the target demographic.
  
  
• I commute approximately 35 miles one-way, five days a week. Living in central Texas offers me the chance to ride my motorcycle nearly 9-10 months out of the year. Having bought, rode and sold 5 different motorcycles in the last 3 years, I have finally found a keeper. But, I must say that the best fuel economy I have ever seen was my 2001 Kawasaki zx-6r. Most days, I would average OVER 60 mpg! It was very modified with aftermarket goodies, such as factory pro jet kit, akrapovic exhaust, full race bodywork, pipercross filter, brisk spark plugs, etc. etc.
  
  Surprisingly, every mod I did seemed to net me more mpg. I would typically ride semi-tucked behind my double bubble, and usually only had apply light pressure to the throttle to keep rolling 70-75mph.
  
  While the bike was not ideal for long distance commuting, I could comfortably ride it an hour or so nonstop. My current motorcycle is a 2001 Aprilia RSV-R1000 Factory. While the mileage (and power) is better than my previous RC-51, it wont touch the mileage my old Kawi did.
  
  My tips for good MPG is:
  1. Aerodynamics (I have a degree in aerospace engineering) very important!
  2. Well lubed chain (520 or lightest available)
  3. Tire Pressure
  4. Weight
     
     
  I must stress Aero very much, because bikes do not have the same rolling energy that cars and trucks have, drag plays huge effect on MPG. Lowering the drag coefficient and reducing the overall weight of the bike –(and your body) will pay off at the pump.
  
  
• I would be less interested in an automatic transmission than I would be in a plug-in Hybrid engine that ran bio-diesel. The bike would be rugged and could accommodate saddlebags, etc.
  
  
• Having done commuting duties on everything from a 50cc Yamaha Zuma, Honda XL 500s, Kawasaki W650 and lastly my Bajaj Legend 150cc geared scooter, I'll admit to an eclectic stable. However several necessities stand out: Most urban commuting requires at times highway/freeway stints; hence the need for sustainable speeds on these roads. Where white line, or lane sharing is either allowed, permitted or attempted; a narrow profile two wheeler is preferred. Once you've arrived, I find that in a city like New York City where parking is a catch 22 situation, the ubiquity and invisibility of whatever one rides is key. I'm currently considering between a Kymco People S250 and a Buell Blast; not for everyone...but each with it's virtues in my demographic.
  
  I'd ultimately love the ease, low seat height, and carrying capacity of a scooter, but with the speed, slimness and suspension gobbling capability of a dual sport. If they build it, I will come!
  
  
• In American society where bigger is usually associated with better would run contrary to a good commuting motorcycle or scooter. So personal preferences would have to change. However, if I wanted a good commuting two wheeled contraption, to me luggage, ease of maintenance and protection from the elements would be three highest items on the priority list. And it should have good performance up to at least 80 to 90 mph to provide the flexibility to avoid the cagers who often don't see us. So if I was able to shift out of the bigger is better mentality I would imagine something like a mini-goldwing with a cc displacement of between 500 and 800. Something like the cult classic PC800 comes to mind. It had good weather protection, was virtually maintenance free (hydraulic lifters and shaft drive), along with very good storage in it's "trunk'. For novice riders, or those who do not desire a clutch, a CV transmission as is found on a Suzuki Burgman would work.
  
  
• Nothing else needs to be built. Just ride it.
  
  
• It is not what they should build but simply to bring some of the better choice smaller cc bikes to the states. It is nice to see the Ninja 250 finally get an update but how about all the other manufacturers that have small cc options elsewhere? I’ve considered a scooter simply because these options are not available but yes I’d much rather have a 250cc sportbike that I can have fun with in addition to commuting.
  
  
• I'm not sure a motorcycle labeled as a commuter would sell in this country. In various shapes and styles I think it's been done before. For a huge majority here motorcycles are exhilarating toys that get us from point A to point B with fun..at least until the weather turns foul.
  
  When it comes to fuel savings people at times act irrationally. We've all seen or heard about those that will drive all over seeking the lowest cost gas only to use and spend more doing so. Some will trade in their larger vehicles which use extra fuel and buy economy cars as soon as gas prices initially rise only a few cents, thus incurring the extra cost of a new vehicle. Some will buy hybrids or diesels (in many cases) but would need to own and drive the car for a number of years to recoup the initial cost of the car itself.
  
  I think any motorcycle is a commuter motorcycle. They use less room on the roadways, can use HOV lanes in most states and in the process can save some fuel. But most of also have a fully insured and gas-hungry car or two at home also. I don't think the issue is as simple as using less fuel.
  
  
• If it is just for comuting then Honda already has it, the VLX 600. This little bike will get 80 mpg between 50-55mph and looks good too.
  
  
• They optimal commuters already exist in my opinion. They are the street-biased adventure bikes which happen to also be one of the fastest growing niches lately. The legendary R1200GS, the new Tiger 1050, KTM Adventure, KLR650, the new BMW F800s, Moto Guzzi Stelvio, Moto Morini’s Granpasso.
  
  The ultimate commuter obviously needs plenty of car-like storage and carry capability, plus prodigious torque. Commuting isn’t about catering to a finicky engine. You want to just twist and go. I’d keep a traditional transmission however. Motorcyclists love to clutch a bike, therefore, it doesn’t have to be an automatic.
  
  The best will have convenient “standard” electrical hookups for heated clothing, GPS, etc. Maybe even a built-in docking bay (out of the weather) for i-pods, phones, etc.
  
  The bikes should be available with 17 or 19 inch front wheels and capable of carrying the latest fat sport tires out back or up front if the 17 inch wheel is chosen.
  
  If the manufacturers want to see even more of these bikes sold, then someone needs to design and market a line of true Business Casual moto-clothing. Not jeans. Many would-be commuters wont ride due to not feeling safe in their work slacks or khakis.
  
  
• Let’s see…so what you want is a low-maintenance, economical motorcycle with great storage. It appears to me that you are creating an argument to bring back the Honda PC800.
  
  
• A good commuter bike must have the following attributes in order to be functional
  • Comfortable, fairly upright riding position
  • Lockable storage
  • Descent fuel mileage – 40mpg or better
  • Lightweight
  • Easy/cheap to maintain
    
    
  There are several current models that will fit the bill, maybe if the manufacturers would offer lockable hard bags as an option or possible offer a touring version of the model, my choices would be.
  • Honda 599
  • Honda CBR600F4i
  • Kawasaki Ninja 650
  • Suzuki SV650/1000
  • Yamaha FZ6/FZ1
    
    
  Once upon a time all of the manufacturers offer smaller displacement touring models (Honda Silver Wing, PC800, Suzuki GS 650-100, etc.) I feel there still would be a market for the smaller/lighter baggers, without having to go the cruiser route.
  
  
• The manufacturers are already building great commuter bikes. I have a Kawasaki Ninja 250 and with fuel mileage of almost 70 mpg and an MSRP of only $3500 *BRAND NEW* that is pretty hard to beat. It is a little bit underpowered for heavy traffic but I also have a Suzuki SV 650 with a great riding position and gobs of low end torque for those duties. And even it gets close to 50 mpg.
  
  Some of the new supermoto bikes out there like the DRZ400SM are also great urban assault vehicles and frugal at the same time. The manufacturers aren't the problem - the bikes are already out there in the showrooms.
  
  It's just a matter of getting Joe Sixpack out of his comfort zone to trade in his Suburban for a bike.
  
  
• As a lifelong motorcycle commuter who has never bought a new motorcycle and currently rides a 20 year old "sales flop" Honda, I am probably the wrong demographic to advise the manufacturers in what to build. That said, there are a few glaring deficiencies in commuter motorcycle design that should be easy for manufacturers to address.
  
  Controls, seat height, and footpegs should be easily adjustable over a few inches each and a little help getting fitted should be part of the purchase, like buying a bicycle. A simple tip-over shouldn't smash turn signals, mirrors, or crack cases or break off levers rendering the bike unrideable. Cargo space should at least be a factory option, enough lockable space to stash an Aerostich and a helmet. Braided steel brake lines should be standard, ABS should be an option on every bike. Traction control and slipper clutches are a good idea as well. Heated grips should be standard or an inexpensive option. Fairings should have a switchable duct that directs hot air towards the rider in the winter and away in the summer. Headlights should have daylight modulators and brake lights should be large, bright LEDs. A safety course should be included in the price of every new bike, with the option of beginner or experienced course left up to the rider. With FI the rider should be able to select an "economy mode" that returns at least 60 mpg.

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